Harry Wilbur made a despairing grimace at this last performance. He rose presently with a determined manner, and quietly bade Mrs. Gano and her son good-night. Val went with him to the front door. They stood talking about her approaching departure, and how Wilbur, too, hoped to get something to do "in the East," so that he might be a witness of Val's triumphs. The conversation pleased her, but her grandmother would be "making eyebrows" if she stayed so long.
"Good-night, then. Look here, Val"—he took her hand warmly in both his own—"I've been awfully cut up lately. I was beginning to be afraid"—he nodded his yellow head towards the parlor—"afraid you might be—"
"Don't be a great silly;" and she ran back to the family circle.
After Julia finished, she got up while Ethan was still talking to her, and made her good-nights all round very prettily.
"But it's quite early," Ethan had said.
"They always send for me at nine."
"Send! Don't you live next door?"
"Not exactly. I have to walk half round the block to get to our gate. We aren't allowed to climb the fence," she added, in a confidential undertone, with a sly look back at Mrs. Gano as she gave Ethan her hand. "Good-night."
"Sha'n't I see you to your gate?" he said, coming out into the hall. "My uncle ought not—"
"No, thank you. I think by the time I get my things on some one will be here for me."